Funded in part by the University of Florida, the Library Services and Technology Assistance granting program of Florida, the State Library and Archives of Florida, and other institutions and individuals.

Record Information

Source Institution:

University of Florida

Holding Location:

University of Florida

Rights Management:

All applicable rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.

Resource Identifier:

aleph - 000956893oclc - 01388691notis - AER9566lccn - sn 95026699

System ID:

UF00028406:00608

Related Items

Preceded by:

Highland news (Frostproof, Fla.)

Full Text

Visit us on the Internet at www.FrostproofNews.com

Wednesday

W, J W- March 27, 2013

Frostproof News

Frostproof's Hometown News for more than 85 years

Volume 93 Number 13,

USPS NO 211-260

750

Frostproof, Polk County Florida 33843

Trhe

Familiar faces seeking spot on city council

Milton looking to keep

recently acquired seat

By BRIAN ACKLEY
BACKLEY @ HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

The newest member of the Frostproof city council is now
seeking to become an elected member of the group as well.
Todd Milton, who first entered the local political scene
---- in 2012 when he lost a narrow race
to incumbent Diana Webster-Biehl,
was appointed to the city coun-
cil in February by acting mayor
Anne Dickinson, when Mayor Kay
Hutzelman stepped down after mov-
ing out of the area.
At the time, Dickinson said one of
the criteria she would use to pick a
_replacement was the person's will-
ingness to run for the seat in April's
elections, something Milton agreed to
----- then and is following through on now.
TODD MILTON "I contacted her (Dickinson) that I
was interested, and that if I did get appointed, I would run
to defend the seat," Milton said. "I want to be involved in
the city."
Voting on Seat One is next Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
at First Baptist Church. Milton is being challenged by for-
mer council member Mike Denby. It is the only city election
on next week's ballot.
Milton lost to Biehl by only 26 votes, and although he lost
in his bid then, he did accept a position on the city's plan-
ning and zoning board. He resigned from that board when
MILTON 17

Denby, 12-year council

veteran, hopes to regain seat

By BRIAN ACKLEY
BACKLEY @ HEARLTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

Veteran Frostproof councilman Mike Denby remembers
pretty much the exact moment that he decided that step-
ping down from the board was a good idea.
"I would come home from work,
jump into the shower, race to a meet-
ing, and my wife would be in the front
yard pushing my son in a swing," he
said. "One night I came home, and he
said 'Dad' like 50 times. I turned to
my wife and said 'I think I'd rather be
called Dad than councilman. I don't
think I'm running for re-election.'
I just felt like stepping away, but I
enjoyed my time."
But times change and children grow
older. Denby said now was a good
MIKE DENBY time to try to regain a spot on the
board, too, because his work schedule has changed to allow
him to more easily attend the 6 p.m. meetings.
In fact, he figures he's put in 24 years for the city, 12 as
a city employee in parks and recreation and 12 on the
council. He stepped down from the council in April 2009
after not seeking a fourth term. He left the city's employ
to pursue a career as a detention deputy when the Polk
County Sheriff's Office opened its South Jail in 1998. He is
studying to get his associates in criminal justice, and is just
six hours short of that goal.
DENBYI5

Bikefest overcomes challenge for second ride

PHOTO BY K.M. THORNTON SR
Ron and Dolores Curry of Avon Park were on hand Saturday
at the Second Annual Frostproof Bikefest, with their T-Rex.
The machine is powered by a Kawasaki 1400cc motor and
one of only 500 made. Hundreds of cycle enthusiasts were
here last Saturday for the fun. More photo coverage on
pages 23 and 24.

By JAMES COULTER
NEWS CORRESPONDENT
Motorcycles roared through
town during the Second
Annual Frostproof Bikefest last
Saturday.
For the second consecutive
year, bikers from across the
county and state gathered to
participate in the annual poker
run and partake in other activi-
ties such as games, food, and
live music.
The Bikefest was started last
year by the disbanded Riding
With Angels foundation as a
fundraiser to finance the funer-
als of motorcycle casualties.
This year, the event was
organized by the Frostproof
Chamber of Commerce with
half the proceeds going to the
Wounded Warrior Project, a U.S.
Army program that aids severely

wounded service members and
their families.
An estimate for the total
money raised has yet to be
determined, though according
to Chamber of Commerce presi-
dent Wesley Wise, this year's
festival experienced a larger
turnout than last year.
"For a second year event, it
was very successful," Wise said
"The bikers that I spoke to were
happy that we had it, and some
of them said that they would be
back-next year."
The Bikefest began with
the opening ceremonies at
10:30 a.m. with a presentation
of the honor guard followed
by the singing of the National
Anthem and a prayer and bless-
ing over the bikers.
The main event was the
BIKEFEST 1I5

Easter

community

events set
There are several holiday
events scheduled this weekend in
Frostproof.
Each year the Frostrpoof
Ministerial Association hosts an
evening Good Friday Service at an
area church. This year the service
will be held at the First Baptist
Church, 96 West B Street, starting
at 7 p.m. Bring a friend or family
member for this special evening.
For more information contact
Pastor Darrol Hood at the First
Baptist Church of Frostproof at
635-3603.
The new Family Life Church
building and field at 139 Bulldog
Way in Frostproof will be the
place to be on Saturday at 10
a.m. for children up to 10 years
old and their parents. The 18th
Annual Community Egg Hunt will
feature thousands of candies and
treasure-filled eggs scattered for
the little ones to find. The event is
free.
Four age categories means there
will be four different areas to
search. There will be gold, silver,
and bronze egg winners in each of
the infant-23 months, 2-4 year old,
5-7 year old, and 8-10 year old age
groups. Prizes are provided by the
Frostproof Ministerial Association.
The event is sponsored by Family
Life Church.
This year there will also be priz-
es for parents; an assortment of
gift certificates good at Frostproof
and other local businesses. There
will also be free hot dogs given
out to everyone in attendance. For
more information, contact Family
Life Church at 635-4500.
The Frostproof Ministerial
Association's Community Easter
Sunrise Service will be held at
6:30 a.m. at the east end of Wall
Street in historic downtown
Frostproof on Sunday. This year
the event is hosted by Pastor
Brian Smith of the First United
Methodist Church.
Watch the sunrise over Lake
Reedy, renew your relationship
with your heavenly Father, and
fellowship with friends and
neighbors. Please bring your own
chair if you can. For more infor-
mation contact Pastor Brian Smith
at First United Methodist Church,

WELCOME TO YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR
and Want to see your event on this page? Call us at 863-285-8625 or
email news@frostproofnews.com.
CALEN~i'is AK---------

* FRIDAY, MARCH 29
Good Friday Service
At the First Baptist Church,
96 West B St., in Frostproof on
Friday, March 29. The service begins
at 7 p.m. Bring a friend or family
member for this special evening.
For more information contact Pastor
Darrol Hood at the First Baptist
Church of Frostproof, 863-635-
3603. Sponsored by the Frostproof
Ministerial Association. This is an
ecumenical event open to all.
* SATURDAY, MARCH 30
Easter Egg Hunt
The new Family Life Church
building and field at 139 Bulldog
Way in Frostproof will be the place
to be at 10 a.m. for children up to
10-years-old and their parents. The
18th Annual Community Egg Hunt
will feature thousands of candies
and treasure-filled eggs scattered

for the little ones to find. The
event is free. There will also be free
hot dogs given out to everyone in
attendance. For more information
please contact Family Life Church
at 863-635-4500.
* SUNDAY, MARCH 31
Sunrise Service on Lake Reedy
The Frostproof Ministerial
Association's Community Easter
Sunrise Service will be held at
6:30 a.m. at the east end of Wall
Street in historic downtown
Frostproof. This year the event is
hosted by Pastor Brian Smith of the
First United Methodist Church.
* MONDAY, APRIL 1
City Council Meeting
The Frostproof City Council has
a regularly scheduled meeting at
city hall starting at 6 p.m. The city
council normally meets the first and

third Monday of each month.
TUESDAY, APRIL 2
City elections
Frostproof will elect one member
of the city council in voting between
Todd Milton and Mike Denby, who
have both qualified for the ballot.
Denby served on the council for a
number of years previously, but is
not on the board now. Milton was
recently appointed to fill the unex-
pired term of Kay Hutzelman. Voting
runs from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the First
Baptist Church.

E FRIDAY, APRIL 5
Frostproof Relay For Life
Frostproof's 10th annual "Relay
For Life" American Cancer Society
fundraiser will be held once again
at the Wall Street Play Park, starting
with opening ceremonies on Friday
evening, including the all-important

Survivor's Lap. There will be food,
fun and entertainment throughout
the evening Friday, with the final
laps coming Saturday morning.
Please plan to join in this important
and fun community event!
* SATURDAY, APRIL 6
Murder Mystery at the Ramon
The Ramon Theater will host
another in its series of popular
murder mystery dinner theater
events. "Lurking Down the Bunny
Trail" will be staged with the
theater's own unique cast of local
characters. The show and dinner
start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 and
can be reserved by calling the theater
at 863-635-7222, or visiting their
website at www.ramontheater.com.
As these events have become very
popular drawing audience members
from throughout the Ridge, it is
recommended that you get your
tickets in advance.

'" ; "-" "-" -" ""a ,.. .'.4 ?
Feelngp GTa aGETgbnAlbnsad iu

TARGET .OGET ...Y.
: . o

cash,-

| with a new
FREE checking
account1

MIDFLORIDA is here to work with you
Sand your schedule-with features like:
7 am to 7 pm Drive-thru and Help Desk Hours

Offer valid as of December.), 2012. Creditappmoval required. A minimum $5 savings account is required for membership with MIDFLORIDA and access to these offers. Offers are available for a limited time only and may be cancelled without notice. Existing MIDFLIRIOA loans and credit cards
do not qualify forthe inoentilve orthe special advertised Annual Percentage Rates (APR). Checking incentive Is deposited to new checking account, Loan and credit card incentives will be applied to a MIOFLORIDA Visa Platinum creditcard. If you do not have a MIDFLORIDAVisa Platinum credit card,.
you must apply for one to receive incentives. Other rates and temnns are available and are based on credit. Visit midnlonda.com or see an associate for details.
1. Anyone who has held a checking account with MIDFLORIDA In the past year will not qualify for the $77 incentive. In addition to opening a new checking account, you must accept and open online banking, online bill payment. eStatement, eNotice. direct deposit (SS00 minimum which must
post within 30 days of account opening) and a debit card. For RT4T checdking accounts, you must make 5 transactions (deposits, withdrawals, etc.) in the first 30 days In lieu of the direct deposit requirement. The $77 will be deposited to account after the qualifications have been met and for RUT4
accounts, after the account has been open for 30 days. Freedom accounts do not quality for this incentive. Minimum to open Free Checking is $50. 2. To qualify for the incentive, you most mrefinance a loan (excluding first mortgages) of S15,000 or more from another financial institution. Loans of
$5,000 to $14,999 wil receive a $100 credit 3. Incentive istoffered on new credit card accounts only with a minimum credit limit of 52,500. The introductory APR is available on non-MIDFLORIDA credit card balance transfers for the first 12 months on new accounts only. A balance transfer feewill apply.

Seasoned observers of government bureaucracies
- and that includes journalists at this and most other
newspapers were not surprised that in responding
to the spectre of "sequestration," the Federal Aviation
Administration announced that it will shut down air
traffic control operations at Lakeland Linder Airport
next month. For 51 weeks out of the year, this would
be an inconvenience, but little more, for Lakeland
ULinder. It is a general aviation airport, a term applied
to airports with few or no scheduled commercial
flights, facilities that cater almost exclusively to
private pilots and corporate aircraft.
The FAA website lists more than 5,100 general
aviation airports in the U.S., including four in Polk
County: Lakeland ULinder, Bartow Municipal, Lake
Wales Municipal, and Winter Haven's Gilbert Field.
But Lakeland Linder has a distinction that few, if
any, of its associates throughout the land can claim:
for one week a year, it becomes one of the busiest
airports some say the busiest in the nation.
The Sun 'n Fun Fly-In brings in countless pilots and
other aviation enthusiasts, including stunt fliers and,
in most years, military exhibition teams.

Our Viewpoint

There are ground displays highlighting both the
history and the future of aviation, but the major
event is the daily air show from 2:30 to 5:30 each
afternoon.
Its performers can be seen from much of Polk
County.
The fact that some 3,000 volunteers pitch in to help
conduct the fly-in is testimony to both its size arid the
community support that it garners.
This year's Sun 'n Fun is scheduled from April 9 to 14.
The FAA announced that to meet Congressionally
mandated expenditure reductions, it will furlough
its air traffic controllers at some general aviation
airports, including Lakeland Linder.
This is classic bureaucracy in action: when econo-
mies are mandated, implement them in activities or
services that will create the greatest public uproar.
Gatekeepers, aides and chauffeurs to the upper
echelons of government are probably safe in their

jobs, but people who provide direct service to the
public are the first to go.
In fact, the first announced cutbacks included can-
cellation of the popular aerial demonstration teams
of the armed forces: the Navy's Blue Angels and the
Air Force's Thunderbirds, who put the spotlight on
our best and brightest flyers. Hopefully, these pilots
are still flying regularly at their home bases to keep
their aerial skills honed, but putting on demonstra-
tions at shows (including Sun 'n Fun) for the taxpay-
ers who fund them has been canceled.
If the FAA had hoped to shut down Sun 'n Fun -
and we have no way of knowing the agency's intent
- it appears to have failed.
John R. Leenhouts, retired Navy pilot who holds the
nation's record for landings on aircraft carriers (flying
under the call sign "Lites") and now president of
Sun 'n Fun, has declared that the show will go on.
Fully certified FAA controllers will be on duty, he
said, funded by private sources.
We commend "Lites" and his team for refusing to
let the FAA's action ground the 39th Sun 'n Fun Fly-In.
Score it: Determination, 1; Bureaucracy, 0.

Letters to the editor

My America is

still the greatest country

This is my America, a place where
you should feel inspired and very
fortunate to live. That is, unless you
are one of the many who drank the
Administration's Kool-Aid and now
feel only the Government can take
care of you, or you have been dumbed
down via the socialist CSCOPE/CORE
curriculums in our public schools, or
told by this Administration that your
God-given freedoms are irrelevant, that
your country doesn't have an immedi-
ate spending problem, that we should
open all our doors to immigrants who
will come in and help America achieve
its goals, etc., etc., etc. -
Folks, stop believing this bullcrap
coming out of Washington. Stop believ-
ing these politicians who have never
held a real job and yet they claim to
know what is best for you, who encour-
age illegal immigrants to come and
remain here, only to get their votes (yes,
they do vote). Stop believing opening
our country's doors and our pocket-
books to every Jose or Mohammed who
wants to come here will be in our best
interests. Legal immigrants are wel-
come but they must be legal and must
acclimate to America, not try to change
America to look like the country they
fled from.
Stop supporting and keeping in office
these "establishment" politicians. Vote
your morals, not your party. Always
remember: America first, politics
second. If you don't believe in abortion,

then why vote for someone who,does? If
you believe in the sanctity of marriage,
why vote for someone who doesn't? If
you believe in only valid votes being
counted, then why not have Photo-id
required in every state to avoid this
problem? This idea of someone being
disenfranchised is a bunch of bunk. I'll
bet most of you didn't know last elec-
tion's votes were counted by a French-
owned company. What's the matter
- we Americans can't count our own
votes we have to use a leftist social-
ist. Duh! Yes, we have a lot of problems
BUT if this country can turn out people
who are so intelligent as to put a man
on the moon, something NO OTHER
country has been able to accomplish,
then WHY do we tolerate self-serving
politicians and college/university
professors who are dumbing down our
children, running up our debt, and
lining their pockets while they do it?
Look at what happened in Cyprus this
week- the U.S. isn't too far behind.
If you love America, then pick up your
phone, call the White House, call your
congressmen, tell them you are mad
as hell and aren't going to take it any
longer. Get involved start looking
around for what YOU can do to help
turn the tide, to restore America back to
its greatness. Students, make it a point
to read TRUE American History, not the
modern revised dumbed down version.

HILLIARDI 5

Empower parents; don't

manipulate them on schools

First it was called the parent trigger
bill but when that became a negative
connotation, it was rebranded the
"parent empowerment act." Whew,
that's much better. Unfortunately, it's
a.misnomer: This bill does not em-
power parents, it empowers out of state
corporate interests and their lobbyists
to siphon Florida tax dollars away from
our already underfunded public school
system.
Interestingly, parents are organizing,
again, against the bill. In fact, every
major parent and teacher organization
has come out strongly against passage.
PTA, NAACP, LULAC, FEN, FEA.
The "trigger" really is a potentially
unreliable grade assigned to a teacher
based on their students' combined

Paula Dockery
valolwft

performance on an ever-changing test.
First, their job security was to be based
on the FCAT results but the highly con-
troversial and problem-plagued test is
being phased out and its replacement is
the yet to be developed Common Core.

HOME DELIVERY SUBSCRIPTION PRICE IN POLK COUNTY
SixM onths...................$25.68 OneYear.........................$41.73
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE IN-COUNTY MAIL
Six Months....................$24.00 One Year...........................$39.00
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE
OTHER FLORIDA COUNTIES
Six Months...................$40.00 One Year..........................$65.00
OUT OF STATE SUBSCRIPTION
Six Months........ .......... $441.00 One Year... .... ... .$72.00

We welcome your letters
Letters are welcome on virtually any subject, but we do have
some rules. Please keep them to less than 250 words. Letters
will be edited to length as well as grammar and spelling. All
letters must be signed with full name not initials. An address
and telephone number must be included. The phone number and
address are not for publication, but must be provided. The Letters
to the Editor section is designed as a public forum for community
discourse and the opinions and statements made in letters are
solely those of the individual writers. Readers in the Frostproof
area can send letters and column submissions to letters@
lakewalesnews.com or mail them to 140 East Stuart Avenue, Lake
Wales Fl. 33853.

Page 4 Frostproof News

March 27, 2013

March 27, 2013 Frostproof News Page 5

DENBY
FROM PAGE 1

He said when he first ran for office,
there wasn't anything specific that
caused him to toss his hat in the ring,
but it turned out he was the only one
that filed for that year's election. Some
of the people involved with his soccer
youth program he had helped start
encouraged him.
"Some parents, some coaches ap-
proached me and said 'you know

BIKEFEST
FROM PAGE 1

poker run, which featured five
stops throughout Polk County: Just
One More Bar in Plant City, Fuzzy's
Tavern andliar's Lair Saloon in
Lake Wales, Main Street Tap Room
in Avon Park and P&J's Recreation in
Frostproof.
The winning poker hand was held
by Patty Livinggood, who had a pair
of kings and ace high.
The worst hand was held by Tina
Evans with 9 high.
Throughout the day, each of the
participating bars sold raffle tickets
for a 50/50 drawing.
The total raffle tickets sales was
$1,495 with a winner's share of
$747.50. The winning raffle ticket
was purchased at Just One More.
The bar that sold the most tickets
was P&J's Recreation, which was also

everybody at city hall, you know bud-
gets, you know how things work,' so I
put my name on the ballot," Denby said.
He ran unopposed for a second term,
and despite having two opponents for
his third term, he still got over three-
quarters of the vote. "It's a calling."
He said his experience is something
that can make a difference.
"Experience counts," Denby noted.
"The first two or three years I was on
the council, I made motions but when
there was discussion, I would just sit
and listen. I was fascinated at their
thoughts and ideas."

this year's platinum sponsor.
Co-owner Mike Hutto attributes
his bar's success to his loyal custom-
ers, the newly built back deck, and of
course the beer, which was the one
commodity the bikers wanted and
that the bar was serving.
"Anytime you own a business, you
want to pride yourself on being the
best and that's what we're trying
to do," Hutto said. "We have some
pretty loyal customers, and it's not
really a big community, but they
always seem to come together to
support everybody and the things
that happen in this town."
Throughout the day, vendors
crowded East Wall Street, down the
street from the festival's original
location at West Wall Street.
Some of the vendors included local
businesses like Princess Wigglebottom
Boutique and J'S Paracord Creations
showing off their wares.
Others were local organizations
such as Fiesta Divas and the Interact

Despite that experience, he says serv-
ing still comes down to one important
point.
"City council to me means common
sense. You've got to use that, That's the
biggest thing, and you get that from
life experiences," he said. "I really feel
like my experience makes me the best
candidate. I've done this."
He and his opponent, Todd Milton,
have known each other virtually their
entire lives. Denby graduated from
Frostproof High School in 1984; Milton
in 1986. Both pursued a career at the
jail when it opened some 15 years ago.

Club raising money for the upcoming
Relay for Life Rally on April 5.
But overall, their main objective
was to raise money for the Wounded
Warrior's Project.
The Frostproof Depot offered fam-
ily activities including two bounce
houses and a jail-and-bail game, where
participants could pay $5 to warrant
the arrest of anyone at the festival and
hold them at the makeshift jail cell for
20 minutes, or until they were bailed
out with $5.
Next to the Depot, a stage featured
live music throughout the day from
bands such as Whiskey River, Kolt 45,
Moonshine Jelly, Joe Cramer, Little
Johnny, and Dead Rekkoning.
The Bike Games and Bike Show were
supposed to be held later that after-
noon, but both events were canceled
due to a low turnout.
Though vendors experienced a
boom earlier in the day, activities
slowed in the afternoon. By late
afternoon, most had already packed

He said when he joined the council,
the city had a $2 million surplus,
which grew to $6 million by the time
he left. He also points to the change
from a city police force to the Polk
County Sheriff's Office for law enforce-
ment, creation of a sexual harassment
policy and Lowe's and Ferguson's
locating in the city as highlights of
his time on the board, when he also
served as vice mayor.
"I think I left on a high note," he
said.
Denby and his wife Joni have one
son, Zachary.

up, leaving the street barren.
Despite this, the vendors remain
optimistic for this year and for future
events.
"This is only the second one, so we
just got to work the kinks out and things
will come together, and it will get more
popular and we will end up with more
people, that's for sure," said Ariel Wilson
of the Big Dog Weenie Machine, who
has participated in other local events.
After the awards presentation for
the Poker Run at 6 p.m., the festivities
continued at P&J Recreation until 9 p.m.
Though things did not go exactly as
planned, Hutto claims this year's festival
was equivalent to last year's, and consid-
ers it a learning experience as to how to
improve in the future.
"This being the second annual, we
were faced with some challenges and
some difficulties," he said. "From our
standpoint, it was all pretty good. Some
things logistically could have been done
better, but it is what it is, and it's always
going to be a learning experience."

Their radical political views on you and But don't you dare let ANYONE tell you in charge. He sets up rulers and he
HILLIAR D try to blame America for all the bad American is always in the wrong, takes down rulers. It was His blessings
in the world. That is BULLCRAP! Just We still have a chance to save this which enabled this country to become
FROM PAGE 4 remember, it was the blood of brave country, but this chance grows shorter the greatest country ever seen on the
Americans which was and is still being each day. We are Americans, very face of the Earth. Seek him for guid-
And take every math and science class shed all over the world to help others proud, very generous, but very humble, ance. Read II Chronicles 7:14.
you can. DO NOT be afraid to stand up and to give you the freedoms you enjoy and definitely very fortunate. And Richard (Dick) Hilliard
to your teacher when they try to force today the graves are there to prove it. please always remember God is still Lake Wales

DOCKERY
FROM PAGE 4

This same legislation is being
pushed in at least 15 states, even in
states where it has previously failed.
The Florida Legislature, for instance,
voted the bill down in the 2012 session.
California's experiment with new
law has been less than promising.
Parents who wanted to rescind their
petitions were not permitted to do so.
Parents who felt mislead or changed
their minds were feeling anything but
empowered. Lawsuits and legal chal-'
lenges have been costly and distracting.
The legislation creates a toxic envi-
ronment of distrust instead of fostering
an atmosphere of cooperation and
coordination between the community

and school personnel.
Any parent has the power to remove
a child from a failing school. Florida
already offers more choices than most
other states (magnet schools, charter
schools, vouchers, scholarships,
virtual schools and home schooling).
Additionally, school-based personnel,
district personnel and locally elected
school boards all have a vested interest
in doing what is in the best interest of
every child and the tools to do it.
The fact is, Florida law already richly
empowers parents to help change their
school. School Advisory Councils were
established to provide a framework for
parents, teachers and districts to find
solutions together. Florida offers so
much parental "choice" that we are a
model for other states. Florida law sets
forth clear procedures for districts to deal
with failing and low performing schools.

Proponents' efforts to paint this
effort as altruistic should be met with
cynicism and concern. So, how is the
Parent Trigger good for our children?
SNo parent group wants it.
SNo track record of success.
SNeeds lobbyists to run expensive
campaigns in each state to promote
passage.
Discourages community
collaboration.
Ignores existing laws that already
empower parents.
Leads to expensive lawsuits and
conflict.
Teaches children that parents
should see teachers and districts as
adversaries instead of partners.
Erodes taxpayers right to local
control through the jurisdiction of duly
elected school boards.
Why are legislators so anxious to

push through policy that is contro-
versial, divisive and unsuccessful?'
This thinly veiled attempt to enrich
private charter corporations in the
name of empowering parents will
do nothing positive to benefit our
students but instead will become
a self-fulfilling prophecy to further
starve our public schools leading to
more privatization of the nearly one-
third of our state budget devoted to
education.
Legislators should drop the whole
complex, disruptive, divisive idea. If
you really want to empower parents,
start listening to them.

Paula Dockery was term-limited as a
Republican state senator from Lakeland
after 16 years in the Florida Legislature.
She can be reached at pdockery@
floridavoices.com.

By BRIAN ACKLEY
BACKLEY@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM
Joy returned to Frostproof's Ben
Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary Friday, and
it was much needed.
Staff and students were participat-
ing in a pre-
planned day of
fun everything
from bingo and
decorating cook-
__ f' ies to making
bracelets and
', i outdoor games
41t- as part of their
-Positive Behavior
Support rewards
program.
But a special
Sklyer Richardson youngster, who
surely would have enjoyed and
earned his reward, was missing.
One day earlier, grief counselors
converged on the school to help
everyone deal with the tragic death
of Skyler Richardson, who law
enforcers say was accidently shot in "
the head by a BB gun by his older
brother Taylor on March 13. Skyler
was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital
in critical condition after the inci-
dent, and was in a medically induced
coma earlier this week.
He died Wednesday, March 20.
"He was a great kid," Principal Patti
McGill said. "He was well liked."
The fourth-grader was honored
in September as a Top Dawg at the
school. His nomination by one of his
teachers, McGill noted, summed up
Skyler beautifully.
"He maintains an awesome at-
titude towards learning every day. He
comes to school eager and willing
to learn every day," she wrote. "He
completes all of his homework
and class work. Skyler enthusiasti-
cally assists other students after

he has completed his assignments.
Everywhere he goes, Skyler is re-
spectful to adults and his peers.
He can always be depended on to
choose positive behaviors and speak
encouraging words. I am so proud of
Skyler!"
McGill said it was not just coinci-
dent that Skyler was honored at the
start of the school year. /
"It's quite an honor to be among
the first," McGill noted. "His teacher
says wonderful things about him, he
was always prepared, a good/student,
helps others. Just a wonderful, won-
derful boy, very respectful,/ always
yes ma'am."
Taylor is now a seventh grader,
but also attended Ben Hill Griffin
which is for students in grades three
through five./
"Absolutely, a sweet kid," McGill
added.
Rooms were set up for grief coun-
selors near the school's office, and
one addressed Skyler's classmates
directly in his home room of teacher
Stella Hatton.
"A lot of kids took advantage of
it," she said. "They just tried to tell
them to remember the good things
about Skyler and the things he liked
to do."
Skyler was part of one of the
school's enrichment groups which
featured a "reader's theater," and re-
cently performed during a breakfast
which honored the school's commu-
nity business partners.
According to Polk County Sheriff's
Office spokesperson Donna Wood,
the investigation is continuing and
no charges have yet been placed
in the matter. It is not clear exactly
when the investigation will conclude,
she said, and that once it does, the
matter will also be considered by the
State Attorney Office before any final
decision is made.

InLoving Memory of )

4
Y a'~

Passed away March 17,1984 ..
Dr. Carrion's wife, sister and children
remember him with love on this day. It
has been 29 years. He will always. be in ..
our hearts. His dream was the Fort Meade -
Medical Center, and the people in 1p" :
Ft. Meade were his family.
,_ vt' A, A -.--- Ii r

PHOTO PROVIDED

Skyler Richardson received the Top "Dawg"Award in September 2012.

"It's hard. There's no winners in
this. It's a horrible situation," she
noted.
According to reports, detectives
indicated Skyler and Taylor were
outside of the family's residence
on Otto Polk Road shooting targets
with their BB rifles March 13. The
children's mother, 34-year-old
Heather Richardson, was inside the
residence preparing dinner, accord-
ing to reports. PCSO says Heather's

boyfriend, Gary Brown, was also
inside the home all four share.
As the boys were playing, PCSO
reports say that Taylor, 13, pointed
his gun at Skyler and the 10-year-old
boy was struck in the head at close
range. Taylor alerted his mother and
emergency medical services were
notified.
Police added at the time that
Skyler's injuries appeared to be
accidental.

IIW 11 I1Iw

5'.. 4,:a d'- -'. ...--j

Ar,

wI-iw

Thursday, March 28.2013

Unity in Community of Lake Wales

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Seating limited to 120 people
Advance ticket purchase only
$10 Per person
Tickets available at
First United Methodist Church
This year our Community Seder will be led by
Israel Cohen of Chosen People ministries.
Mr. Cohen brings a depth of understanding of both
Jewish and Christian tradition and his presentation
will bring a deeper understanding not only of
Passover, but also of the communion table.
The entire presentation, with dinner and dessert, takes about 2-1/2 hours.
A love offering will be received for the work of CHOS PuLE
M dNISMRIES

MILTON
FROM PAGE 1 /
//
he was appointed to a council position.
Even though his public service has
been comparatively brief, histime
on both boards has given him a new
perspective. /
"You don't really know what goes
into it until you've actually got that
pressure on you, when you're a yay or a
nay, and you're making that decision,"
Milton said. "It's not as simple as some
people think. There's a due process, and
people don't always understand that.
There's a lot of steps, a lot of checks and
balances. It's been a good cross-section
of how government works, on a small
scale."
Both he and Denby point to the need
for economic growth as an important
factor for the future.
Milton has already been asked to cast
a vote on providing incentives on at-
tracting a grocery store here, but agreed
with his colleagues that they were far
too excessive and perhaps even illegal.
He also said he'd consider a ban on
Sunday alcohol sales if it would help
bring a store here, but that he wasn't an
automatic yes vote if that issue were to
come up in the future.
"I can't say that I'm for or against it.
I'd like to see more information on it,"
Milton said. "I'd like to see the pros and
cons on paper, financially, what's the
difference? Will crime increase?"
Milton is a native of Frostproof, and
stayed here until fourth grade when
his family moved away. He returned for

his sophomore year at Frostproof High
School and graduated from there in
1986. He pursued a corrections career
in 1998 when the county jail opened
on U.S. 98, but has since made a career
switch and will graduate this summer
with a degree in elementary education
from Warner University, where he was
just invited to join the Kappa Delta Pi
honor society.
He said he'd like to work on reducing
the city's utility costs.
"We're a very average family of four,
two teenage daughters, and our water
bill runs $150, $160 a month," he said.
He noted that sewer charges are more
than three times the water rate. "We
have a lot of elderly in the community
and I've talked to people who want to
move back to Frostproof, but they can't
afford a $300 deposit and a $100-plus a
month water bill. I don't know what to
tell them."
He also said he's a team player, which
is important on the council, but doesn't
necessarily mean everyone should have
the same opinions.
'"Anytime you get a group together,
you get different viewpoints. But with
discussion, we can realize different
points of view and still come to a
conclusion," he said. "We conversed on
the grocery store. Even with that, we all
had different reasoning why no was
the proper answer."
He works at Our Children's Academy,
where he was named Paraprofessional
of the Year for the current school
session.
He and his wife Mary have three
daughters, Britni, Samantha and
Charley.

OBIT AIES

Mildred L. Witt

Mildred LWitt, 78, of Lake Wales, Fla.,
passed away Friday, March 22, 2013, at
Somers Hospice House in Sebring.
Mildred was born Sept. 27,1934, in
Stevenson, Ala., to the late Fred and
Eula Mae (Brooks) Walton and has been
a resident of Florida for 58 years moving
here from Madison County, Ala. She
was a retired citrus processor for Florida
Natural Growers; she enjoyed being
with her family loved flowers, crafts
and helping watch her grandchildren.
Mildred was of the Baptist Faith.
Survivors include her husband of
63 years LeonWitt; daughters, Tilda R.
(John E) Bees of Lake Wales and Connie
L. Schepis of Lake Wales; son, Tommy
R. (Marsha F) Witt of Lake Wales; sister,

Lakeland Linder Regional Airport
is on the list of 149 federal contract
air traffic control towers that are
scheduled to have federal funding
phased out starting April 7, as part
of the federal budget sequestration.
"We are very disappointed in
the FAA's decision to discontinue
funding for the Lakeland Linder
Regional Airport federal contract
tower. Safety is paramount and
our operations continue to in-
crease. We are exploring options
to maintain air traffic control
services at Lakeland Airport,"
Gene Conrad, director of Lakeland
Linder Regional Airport said.
"We did receive confirmation
(Friday) that the FAA will be send-
ing a full contingent of air traffic
controllers to Lakeland Linder
Regional Airport to operate the air
traffic control tower during the
annual Sun 'n Fun International
Fly-In and Expo April 9-14,"
Conrad said. "This is a reimburs-
able agreement with the FAA and
the Sun 'n Fun Board unanimously
agreed to stand behind the financial
commitment. We are currently
working with our state and local
stakeholders to help cover those
costs."
In March, the FAA proposed to
close 189 contract air traffic control
towers as part of its plan to meet
the $637 million in cuts required
under budget sequestration and
announced that it would consider
keeping open any of these towers if
doing so would be in the national
interest.
The national interest consider-
ations included:
Significant threats to na-
tional security as determined
by the FAA in consultation with
the Department of Defense or
the Department of Homeland
Security;
Significant, adverse economic
impact that is beyond the impact
on a local community;
Significant impact on

multi-state transportation, com-
munication or banking/financial
networks;
The extent to which an airport
currently served by a contract tower
is a critical diversionary airport to a
large hub.
The Federal Department of
Transportation consulted with
the Department of Defense, the
Department of Homeland Security,
and conducted operational as-
sessments of each potential tower
closure on the national air transpor-
tation system. As a result, 24 federal
contract towers will remain open
because closing them would have
a negative impact on the national
interest. The FAA will begin a four-
week phased out budget process that
will affect 149 federal contract towers
beginning on April 7 and Lakeland
Linder Regional Airport is on that list.
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross,
R-Lakeland, said, "Throughout the
past few weeks we have repeatedly
requested a meeting with the FAA
Administrator and we continue to
be ignored. I understand the need
to make cuts. However, instead of
these arbitrary across-the-board
cuts which have devastating im-
pacts on entire communities, we
must cut waste, fraud, and abuse,
like the $500 million that the FAA
spends on consultants or the $200
million that it spends on office
supplies and employee travel.
"The state's largest convention,
Sun 'n Fun, which is held in April
at Lakeland Linder Airport, not
only provides incredible economic
value to Lakeland, but it serves our
children by investing $1.4 million
dollars annually in education. It is
unacceptable to close this impor-
tant control tower. Sun.'n Fun will
now have to pay the FAA $284,000
in order to keep this control tower
functioning during the conven-
tion. This is more money that they
must raise that will not go to help
our children who are struggling in
school."

Daughter completes

her father's

By CATHY PALMER
CORRESPONDENT
Later this summer, Judy Thompson
will realize a dream. Not just her dream,
but her father's too. She will publish her
book, "The Heritage Trail from Horse
Creek to Davenport."
The book, which tells the history of
the small northeast Polk city, started
as Judy's father former Davenport City
Commissioner and Mayor Arnold
Torgersen's dream, but when he died,
several years ago, she decided more than
two years ago to see his dream through
to fruition. She says she's now in the
final editing of the book, which has
reached 300 pages in manuscript form.
She says she also has about 300 pho-
tographs to go along with the detailed
history of the city.
Thompson says she takes her readers
through the history of tiny Davenport as
a trail guide.
"I take the reader from the early years
before the Seminole Indian Wars through
2013," she explains. "We meet some
interesting people, learn how they lived
and provided for their needs."
On the trek through the years, she says
"we learn about the people who came
to Davenport, built their homes and the
contributions they made to Davenport.
We also learn about the citrus, cattle and
turpentine industries" which she says
were the mainstays of the city's early
days. "There also are some humorous
stories along the trail," she adds.
Thompson, a lovely woman who
recently retired from her job with an en-
gineering firm in Orlando, is no stranger
to Davenport's history. She's a native who
has lived almost all her life in the city,
except the years she and her husband,
retired Army Lt. Col. Randy Thompson,
spent on his military assignments.
"I've been surrounded by the city's
history all my life," she says.
She even lives next door to it. She and
Randy built their West Boulevard home
next door to her parents' house, which
was built by her grandparents, Gustav
and Anna Torgersen shortly after they
married those many years ago.
"My dad left me 86 years of memo-
rabilia," she says, some of which was
handed to him by his father, including
many photos taken by Gustav, a profes-
sional photographer. Many of those
early Davenport pictures may be seen in
the city's tiny museum at City Hall.
"I never really thought about writing a
book," Judy explains. "But after I went to
a Davenport school reunion and encour-
agement from friends and the Historical
Society, I decided to give it a try. She
adds that both she and her father were
active in the town's history.
"My daddy was always interested in
the city and loved Davenport," she says,
"so I grew up around that love of his-
tory and the city. And, I had all Daddy's
things. Plus, since I left my job in
Orlando, I had the time to do it."
But it wasn't easy, she adds. "It took
many trips to Bartow and other places
around the county to verify facts and
dispel a lot of the fiction that grows
around some of them."
She also interviewed a lot of people,
she says, including some over 90 years
old, former city officials and early
pioneers.
"There are also many former and cur-
rent business owners mentioned briefly."
Some interesting facts she discovered,
according to the author, were that "one

dream

Judy Thompson shows some of her family's
memorabilia at the Davenport Museum.
pioneer made his living shipping rattle-
snakes to the north" and another "was a
palmetto shipper."
Questions to which the answers will be
found in the book include:
Was Davenport named for Col.
Davenport or a railroad conductor by
that name? Where was Fort Davenport
and what happened to it? At one time
Davenport boasted the largest barn for
what animal? And, did the early settlers
see any Indians?
She guarded the answers, laugh-
ing softly, saying "you'll have to read
the book," and adds, "there are lots of
surprises in it."
One fact she would share was that
there once was a bridge on the road "in
front of my house on West Boulevard
that evidently led to Lake Davenport. I
never knew that until I started doing my
research."
Thompson said she often went on her
research junkets alone, but sometimes
had fellow historical society members or
close friends go along for the ride. "That
made a lot of the trips more fun."
One of her favorite figures in the book
was the city's first Postmaster Sallie
Jacobs, who was known by all as Aunt
Sallie.
"Everyone loved her and knew her.
She's one of my favorites, and she's the
one who changed the name of the city
from Horse Creek to Davenport."
Because she's taken such a place in
Thompson's heart, she plans to imper-
sonate her on an upcoming field trip to
Homeland's history center on April 20.
After logging hundreds of hours writ-
ing over the last two and a half years,
Thompson says she may continue her
writing career using Aunt Sallie as the
star of some possible children's books.
"The children apparently all loved her, so
she's make a good character that could
reach out to them."
But, first things first. When the
final editing is done, Thompson
says the book should be printed
by August. She's already planning
book signing at the Polk Historical
Museum in Bartow, the Polk Outpost
(Tourist Information Center) and at
Davenport's hotel and tea room. Dates
for those are not announced yet.

Frostproof third baseman Juan Flores gets
airborne trying to catch a line drive in action
against the Avon Park Red Devils last Friday in
Frostproof. The Bulldogs were the beneficiaries
of some Red Devil gifts, scoring three runs in
the fourth inning on a passed ball and two
bases loaded walks.

Frostproof shortstop Marcus Bobb stops the
catcher from a throw down after an Avon Park
runner steals second during high school base-
ball action last Friday, Frostproof rolled lucky
seven's on the night, collecting seven runs on
just seven hits for its fifth win of the season.

* ..'.
~

i - - -- -| .. ,-r- -
PHOTOS BY NEAL BYRD
The Frostproof Bulldogs hit the spring break in winning fashion with a great mound performance
from pitcher Dustin Baber, who struck out 12 batters as Frostproof downed Avon Park, 7-1,
playing throughout the rain drops last Friday night in Frostproof. The only run he allowed was
unearned, and he gave up just three hits in getting the complete game victory.

Frostproof's Cody Wilson had a big night, getting two hits and a steal of second here. One of his
hits, a double in the sixth inning, accounted for one of Wilson's two RBI on the night, and was
part of a three-run sixth that put the game out of reach as the Bulldogs won, 7-1. Frostproof is
off now for spring break, and resumes play April 2 at DeSoto. The Bulldogs are back at home on
April 5 vs. Mulberry.

Are you tired all the time?

Do you snore at night?

If you are experiencing difficulty falling or staying asleep,
excessive daytime sleepiness or chronic snoring, we may
be able to help you get the rest you need.
Visit BrainSpineSleep.com for more information.

Si RodiAgNOStic & Sleep CENTER
of Iolk County

Central Florida's fastest growing community newspaper group is seeking aggres-
Ssive salespeople to handle challenging and rewarding sales territories in the Polk
County area. The opportunity consists of both outside and inside positions and
focuses on retail and category businesses. The ideal person to fill these jobs is
comfortable with mom-and-pop businesses as well as major accounts.

We believe in developing strong relationships with our clients. Your ability to
network and connect with the community is essential to your success.

Advertising sales experience is preferred but not necessary.

If this sounds like the career opportunity you've been looking for, please send a
cover letter and resume to:

The Lake Wales News,
The Frostproof News, The Polk County Democrat,
The Fort. Meade Leader and Your Haines City Herald
,V

nrr.h 97 21.1I

I

A J\

.- -.. ,. ., --'-, ,'-? .- . ..

High school start times could change

ByMARYCANNADAY
MCANNADAY@HEAIANEWSPAPERS.COM

Several parents who attended the
recent Polk County School Board town
hall meetings on budget cuts were con-
cerned that if high school and middle
school schedules were modified, the
hours of school might change as well.
Although assured at the meetings that
the two issues were separate, Interim
Superintendent John Stewart told the
board at Tuesday's work session that
start times might be affected after all.
There is a proposal on the table to
save almost $7 million by eliminating a
class from each of the high schools and
middle schools. The exception to this
change would be IB school, and Schools
of the Arts, which have specific require-
ments for additional classes.
The change in affected high and
middle schools would involve cutting
high school courses from seven to six,
middle school classes from eight to
seven and having a common planning
time for teachers, which would provide
what is being termed a zero hour for
students to receive tutoring or enrich-
ment activities while the teachers are
planning.
The proposal has brought consterna-
tion from parents who are worried
about high school students not getting
off in time for part-time jobs, or for
sibling-care duties. The issue of not
having enough after-school time for
athletics often came up, as well.
There has long been talk of setting
back the school day for high school
students, who currently go to school so
early, (about 7 a.m.) that the students
are reportedly half-asleep through
the first couple of classes. The issue of
changing start times was originally not
thought to be an issue, but with having
to change bus schedules, and in order
for the teachers to have a common
planning time, the hours might change.
Now it looks as though start times
may move to 8:15 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. and

Damage heavy

in Dawes

Road blaze
Damage was extensive from a mid-day
Monday blaze on Dawes Road that left a
family displaced from their single-wide
mobile home.
Frostproof Fire Chief Bill Lord said
firefighters were first called at 11:31 a.m.,
and then they arrived on scene, found a
structure to be two-thirds involved with
fire already.
According to reports, the owner of the
home, Alvians Rivas, related that all the
occupants had left the home around
9:30 a.m., and returned home at 11:30 to
find the blaze, although neighbors had
already called 911. Her husband was out
of town at the time of the incident, she
said.
Lord said there were no reports of
candles burning in the home, and no one
in the home smoked. State fire marshals
are continuing their investigation.
A neighbor, Antonio Hemrnandez, tried to
save the structure by fighting the fire with
a garden hose, reports noted. In all, four
adults andone infant were displaced by
the fire, and the American Red Cross was
called in to provide temporary assistance.
A total of six units and 16 personnel
were on scene until the last engine left
at 1:55 p.m. Mutual aid came from Fort
Meade and Polk County Fire Rescue,
including tender trucks which helped
bring water to the home.
The fire started in a bedroom, authori-
ties believe.

ending times may move to 3 p.m. or
3:30 p.m.
Stewart said he "may have mispoken"
to parents at Davenport's meeting who
asked about it.
"I'm glad we just clarified that," said
board member Kay Fields, "because
that was a hot button issue at Harrison
too." (the second community meeting)
"I think a lot of us heard loud and clear
that this was a concern."
As to the athletics issue, board mem-
ber Tim Harris asked, "Why do parents
think we won't have athletics under
the new schedule?" Stewart added that
practice would just have to start an
hour later.
David Lewis, Associate
Superintendent for Learning, said, "In
order to get educational and financial
benefits, starting times may have to
change."
Board member Debra Wright said
she had also heard concerns about the
hubs that are being considered to more
centralize bus transportation. Also,
there is talk of somehow working with
the Citrus Connection bus system for
some transportation. "Some of their
concerns are not being clarified," she
said, such as worries about kids riding
the buses with adults.
All in all, the board seemed to have
more questions than answers, and

Name

Address

City, State, Zip

requested a special work session for
staff to better explain to them just
exactly how everything was going to
work. This has been set for 9 a.m. April
2 in the Superintendent's Conference
Room at the district office.
Stewart reminded them, though that

one way or another, the budget would
have to be balanced, and right now,
due to recent teacher raises, require-
ments of the Affordable Care Act, new
charter school expenses and McKay
Scholarships required by law, it's about
$18 million short for next year.

7 7-7-7: T 7 -.., -17-: 7. Tr I,,-r,.'
EXAMINATION. OR TREATMENTTHAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THEADVERISEMENT FORTH FREE. DISCOUNTED FEE. OR REDUCED FEE
SERVICE. EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT We accept Cash. Checks wth ID.Visa. MaslerCard. and Discover as payment for our services Financing Available.

I am an adult over 18 years of age and wish to participate in the Lake Wales Care Center 5k/1Ok race, and/or
I give my child permission to participate in the Lake Wales Care Center 5k/1 Ok race. In exchange for the
Lake Wales Care Center allowing me to participate in this event, I understand and expressly acknowledge
that I release the Lake Wales Care Center and its staff members from all liability for any injury, loss or
damage connected in any way to my (or my children's) participation in this event. I understand that this
release includes any claims based on action or inaction of Lake Wales Care Center and its staff. I have read
and am voluntarily signing this authorization and release.

I understand that the Lake Wales Care Center is not responsible for personal property lost or stolen while I
(or my child) participate in this event.

I give my permission for the Lake Wales Care Center to use photographs or film footage which may include
my image for purposes of promoting or interpreting Lake Wales Care Center programs.

SI C NT U PK.E:

D XT E:

PXKENT/C UXf^KD N:_____________________

DKATE:

12846794

March 27, 2013

Page 10 Frostproof News

Some budgetary district personnel changes protested

By MARY CANNADAY
MCANNADAY@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM
In the push to balance next year's school
district budget, eight position cuts have
been proposed within the facilities and
operations division with an anticipated
savings of $683,267.
One of these proposals brought a contin-
gent of about 20 minority subcontractors
to last week's school board meeting to
protest cutting the Manager of Supplier
Diversity for a $79,203 annual savings.
The men, who made several well-
reasoned and calm presentations to the
board, were members ofan organiza-
tion called The Central Florida Business
Diversity Council.
S The gist of their concern was a fear that
small minority and female-owned firms
would be again be left out of the bidding
loop for school construction projects.
Several in the group spoke about how
their lives and the lives of their employees
had been bettered through opportunities
provided by the program's existence.
The Office of Supplier Diversity was

created about 10 years ago to level the
playing field for women and minorities,
who Tuesday's speakers said were often
shut out of access to school board projects.
According to the group, the resulting
increase in bidders has resulted in more
competition, which often lowers cost to the
district.
And, according to CFBDC member Larry
Mitchell, the diversity program has saved
the district more than $9 million.
Lakeland attorney Larry Hardaway, who
is affiliated with the group, said, "I stand
here in favor of minority fairness. I have
not seen your rationale for eliminating the
Office of Supplier Diversity, but we're at
a time in this country where we need to
include everyone. If not through this office,
please find another way"
Frank Kendrick of NuJac Construction,
said, "While the elimination of the office
may be a fiscal win today, it will be a step
back of a decade."
Brian Butler, of JCB Construction, said,
"Fifty-four percent of our students are
minorities. It will be detrimental to take
away this program."

Not many to choose from

7 applicants fit size criteria in superintendent search

By MARY CANNADAY
MCANNADAY @ HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM
A startling possibility came up at the
Polk County School Board work session
last week.
There may not be enough applicants
for the open superintendent position who
have experience working in big districts.
The search is on for a superintendent
to replace Sherrie Nickell, who retired
in November Polk County has 94,000
students much larger than the average.
The issue was first raised by District 5
board member Kay Fields.
"It's very important to have large school
experience," she said. "We're just wasting
our time if they're from a small district."
The Polk County School Board has set a
criteria of experience in a district with at
least a 25,000 student population.
Dick Mullenax, District 4 board mem-
ber, said when he received the first batch
of applications, about 12 of the total 23,
he Googled them after noticing that their
resumes did not mention district size.
Aside from the two Polk applicants, David
Lewis and John Small, he said he found
only one who met the benchmark
Mullenax, in a phone interview, said
about 85 to 90 percent of districts nation-
wide are smaller than 25,000 students, so
it's no easy task to find people with the
requested experience.
"If we don't have the right applicants,
I would be willing to go back and do
another search," Mullenax said. "There
could be other variables that would make
a difference, but speaking for myself, the
ones I want to talk to are from the big
districts."
Wayne Blanton, executive director of
the Florida School Boards Association,
is conducting the Polk superintendent
search. Contacted at his Tallahassee office,
Blanton said, background checks are
under way right now on seven who all
meet the size criteria. The short list will be
presented to the board April 5 when they
and Blanton will discuss the finalists.
"They have asked for five, but I may
bring five and an alternate to the table,"
Blanton said.
And the board has the option of
rejecting some of the short-list picks, or
suggesting additions to the list.
The post is being filled in the interim by
John Stewart, who served three terms as
an elected superintendent in Polk before
he retired and the county changed over
to an appointed, rather than elected,
superintendent.
After the board selects the finalists, they
will invite them to Polk for a round of
interviews, and a series of meet and greet
events which will be held in April and
May, on yet unspecified dates.

The board hopes to have a final deci-
sion made and the new superintendent
seated by Jluly 1.

He also noted that the minority contrac-
tors in the group "give opportunities to
those who may not otherwise have them."
Board member Kay Fields had made
sure earlier that staff was ready to allay the
group's fears, however, and had requested
Facilities and Operations manager Greg
Rivers' presence at the meeting.
The small business owners were assured
that it was not the program, but the posi-
tion, that was being done away with.
Rivers explained the new plan, which
would pre-qualify sub-contractors at the
beginning of the year. Once qualified, they
would be added to a list of those to be
notified of each bidding opportunity
Asked by Fields who would be ultimately
responsible for making sure the new plan
worked, Rivers said he would adding this
would not give preference to anyone but
would ensure that everyone qualified had
an opportunity to compete on projects.
A second recommendation that was
controversial Tuesday (and didn't make

the cut) was one to increase the pay grade
and pay rate for the Superintendent's
senior staff assistant and the Board's senior
assistant.
Moving them to pay grade 19, with a
title changed to Executive Assistant, would
bring each a yearly pay increase of $2,909.
Board members Kay Fields, Debra
Wright, Hunt Berryman and Lori
Cunningham all expressed gratitude for
the hard work of the two women, while
pointing out that singling them out for pay
increases under the current budget crunch
was not equitable.
"There are many who have not gotten
raises yet," (under pending union negotia-
tions) Fields said.
"I would advocate for a change in tidle,
but I can't support the raise," Berryman
said. And Cunningham added, "With our
budget crunmch, I can't in good conscience
support this."
The issue will be revisited on the basis of
title change only

PHOTOS BY NEAL BYRD
Friday's fun activities were
topped off with some real fun,
a chance to throw a cream pie
4, at at School Resource Officer
Deputy Gary Grice. The cause
was raising money for a school
field trip for fourth graders to
Lowry Park Zoo. Students could
drop coins into jars for either
Grice, Principal Patti McGill or
Assistant Principal Beth Wilkin.
The person who had the most
money in their jar, in this case
Grice, agreed they would get a
pie in the face as a payoff.

All the fourth grade Top Dawg award winners had their names in a hat to draw to see who got
the honors of"creaming" Deputy Grice. Trevor Smith was selected and got to do the honors, much
to the delight of the student body. A total of $177.90 was raised to help pay for a field trip to
Lowry Park Zoo.

The school's media center had kids playing all
kinds of board and card games. This trio was
just starting off a game of Scrabble. Clockwise
around the board from left: Ethan Schmidt,
Kolton Gaddy and Primitivo Garcia.

Shelby Jones looks over a number
of prize possibilities after
winning at BINGO, which she was
able to do several times!

,Polk's Largest Variety of Beds for 29 Years!
B 1806 First St. S. Winter Haven
Next to Chick-FiI-A

Many people own cats and one of the
most common behavioral complaints
is inappropriate elimination habits. The
cat will not use the litter pan for urina-
tion or defecation or both. Today we will
discuss inappropriate elimination which
is defined as an animal using the normal
position (squatting) for urination but not
using the litter pan. This behavior is dif-
ferent from urine spraying where the cat
backs up to a vertical object and deposits
urine; we will discuss this behavior in an
upcoming article.
When a new cat is brought into the
household for the first time, we com-
monly show him where the litter pan
is and then expect him to use it. If the
cat is young, the owner may place him
in a small room with the litter pan and

Dr. Carol Thompson
"UM7

food and water so that he learns where
the pan is located and that he needs to
use it. For most cats, this will work, but
sometimes there is trouble.
If a cat suddenly stops using the litter
pan, first we must consider underlying
physical causes such as urinary tract
LITTER PAN 115

^tsUJ ^iffl : EOYE lU L
First, we don't sell acupuncture as some J
kind of "miracle cure.' It isn't. But, in many
cases, especially chronic cases that have not
responded as well as might be expected to
conventional treatments, acupuncture offers
a viable, safe and affordable alternative often
with very good results.
Treatment is available for issues of many kinds,
including lameness, skin condition, urinary
tract and kidney issues, and neurological and
respiration ailments. Dr. Shank is one of just a
handful of vets in all of Florida certified by the
renowned Chi Institute in both small and large fl
animal acupuncture.
Please call us today your first consultation is
FREE to see if acupuncture treatments might
be right for your dog, cat or horse.

II you would like
to advertise in
"Passion For Pets"
call Jim at
863-676-3467

Why Advertise HERE ARE SOME STATISTICS:
Dogs: There are approximately 78.2 million owned
On Our dogs in the U.S. 39% of US households own at least
Pt Pages? one dog 28% of owners own two dogs.
Pe Pages Cats: There are approximately 86.4 million owned
cats in the U.S. 33% of US households own at least
one cat 52% of owners own more than one cat.
Statistics were compiled from the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012 Natural Pet Owners Survey.

LITTER PAN
FROM PAGE 14
infection (which creates an urgency to
urinate and the cat does not feel he can
reach the litter pan in time), orthopedic
disease (making it painful to step into
the litter pan) or senility. If these causes
are ruled out by your veterinarian
through examination and testing, then
we will look at behavioral causes.
First and foremost is litter box aversion
due to uncleanliness. We are all busy, but
we must remember to clean the litter
pan often. Once daily may be sufficient
for a single cat household, but several
times a day is required for multiple cat
households. The majority of people will
not enter a dirty bathroom stall in a
public restroom, so why do we think it is
OK for our cat to enter a dirty bathroom?
Sometimes the cat does not like the
type of litter that you have chosen; if it is
uncomfortable on his feet or offensive to
his nostrils, he will not get in the pan to
use it. With the large number of kinds of
litter to select from these days it is usu-
ally possible to find an acceptable style
of litter. You can place a second litter
pan down with different litter and see if
the cat begins to use it. If he does, then
change to the litter he likes best.
Some cats do not like the area we
have chosen for him to use for a
bathroom there may be too much
traffic (human or animal) or too much
noise (washer, dryer,children, etc.), or
he simply likes a different spot better.
Do not disturb your cat while he is in
the litter pan (or let anyone else disturb
him) as he may decide the litter pan is
not a safe place and find somewhere
else to use instead. If your cat has a
specific location that he likes to use,
put a litter pan there. If he uses it con-
sistently, I would recommend leaving
the pan in that location. If the location

is unacceptable to the owner, then you
may move the litter pan one inch a day
towards a more acceptable location. Do
not start moving the litter pan before
the cat is using it consistently. Do not
move it too far in a single day or he will
stop using it and go back to the original
location, or simply choose another one.
Also remember that it is recommend-
ed to have an adequate number of litter
pans in the house. The total number of
litter pans should be one more than the
number of cats in the house. These lit-
ter pans should be spread out through
the house and not all right next to each
other. If they are all near each other
and one is dirty, or another cat is using
one, it may cause a cat to find another
place to eliminate. Choosing the size
and height of the litter pan can affect
its appeal to the cat also. A bigger pan,
like a storage bin, may be helpful for a
larger cat or multiple cat household, or
even a cat that likes to scratch around
in the pan a lot. A pan with a lower wall
may be helpful for the older cat who
has difficulty moving. Try to choose
litter pans that are appropriate to your
cat's individual needs.
If you have a problem cat, try to have
him evaluated as soon as possible. The

longer the problem exists, the harder
it is to resolve. When you go to your
veterinarian have as much information
as possible ready: the layout of your
house, where the incidents are occur-
ring and when, where the litter pans
are, how many cats are in the house,
how often the litter pans are cleaned,

Does Your Pet Hav

Bad Breath???? 4
Stop by Lake Wales Veterinary Hospital and
have one of our technicians check your pet's ,
teeth at no cost to determine if a dental
cleaning is needed. Receive a 15% Discount
Off a Dental Cleaning during January,
February & March. Call today to schedule
your appointment.
DON'T MISS OUT ON THE LATEST INFORMATION AND
SJ HEALTH NEWS FOR YOUR PET! -Like" us on Facebook
x Ta-- I ilia I -l.- ri n nm :n l In 12RACr,

Facx
Face

what kind of litter is used, how long
the problem has been going on. This
information will help your veterinarian
to discern what the cause of the prob-
lem is and the best treatment plan to
address the issues. Our hope is to have
the owner and the cat be happy for
many years of mutual companionship.

This program is sponsored by the RFlorida AHEC Network and the Florida Department of Health

Many of the bikes
were works of art
themselves.

March 27, 2013

Page 16 Frostproof News

March 27, 2013 Frostproof News Page 17

- I

Above: Talk about a daughter's dream! Most
of the day Chamber President Wesley Wise
was very busy but here Acting Sheriff (new
Chamber Director) Sandra Shultz arrested
him on a warren purchased by his daughter
Aubrey.

ales
h,,Spirji

I12PM

S Lauren Cline
S and Dead
Rekkoning
band member
Aarron Partain
hit the streets
with some of
Roscoe's great
tasting cookies
and baked
goods.

Citizen's Bank and Trust "good guy" Chuck
Thornton spent Saturday as the Bikefest's
"sheriff." For five dollars, you could have a
friend or family member arrested, and for
another five bucks, they could get out of jail.
Thornton got some help from real life Polk
County Sheriff detention deputy Dean Durham.

Not all the visitors were two legged. This is
Captain John Fink and Dora the Explorer.

EVENT SPONSOR- $300
-SI(GN WITH YOUR BUSINESS NAME AT FINISHII LINE
-('OWIPANY RECOGNITION IN MEDIA
-COMPANY SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT THE ('O TRlE.E_
.-L -USINESS NAME ON THE T-SHIRT
--;:"COMiPANY INFO PLACED IN GOODIE BAGS

i^AT"ER STATION SPONSOR- $150
--7SIGN WITH YOUR BUSINESS NAME DISPLAYED AT \V\ TER
52- STATIONS
,"A -COMPANY REC'O(G;NITION IN MEDIA
,' :BUSINESS NAME ON THE T-SHI-IIRT

COURSE SIGN SPONSOR- $100
'SIGN \WITH YOU R BUSINESS NAME .ALONG THE COURSE
COIPANY- RE( '(-)-NITIO()N IN NMEDi)IA
-.--B'SINESS NAME ON T-ShIIRT

CONTEST RULES and PROCEDURES
1. Fill out entrant form and place in box.
2. Enter contest each time they enter store.
3. Each store will have one winner
4. The store owner/manager and newspaper
representative will pull one lucky winner
5. Salesperson from newspaper will have
the store owner sign for a Gift certificate to
verify certificate delivery.
6. Store owner/manager will contact winner
to come back to the store to pickup their
Free Ham Gift Certificate.
7. The newspaper will keep a list of all par-
ticipating merchants and winners to be pub-
lished in a newspaper story.
8. After the contest the Salesperson will
pickup entrant box.
9. Winners will be announced on Monday,
April 2nd, 2012

^ Coordinated by The Polk County Democrat and The
kc y ist- m CONTEST RULES and PROCEDURES
f ResFf T Owil 1. Fill out entrant form and
SAN EATME AM place in box.
2. Enter contest each time they
DoubleRICafee enter store.
"lble /3. Each store will have one winner
119 West Broadway 4. The store owner/manager and
Fort Meade, FL 33841 newspaper representative
863.285.9984 will pull one lucky winner
Monday-Saturday 7am-2pm 5. Salesperson from newspaper
Call for our daily specials! will have the store owner
7 T sign for a Gift certificate
Re49ter W An Tto verify certificate delivery.
I. ~6. Store owner/manager will
contact winner to come back to
,AS J ]AHAM the store to pickup their
The City of Free Ham Gift Certificate.
Fort Meade 7. The newspaper will keep a list
City Hall 8 West Broadway of all participating merchants
Fort Meade, Florida 33841-0856 and winners to be published in
863-285-1100 a newspaper story.
Swww.cityoffortmeade.cornm 8. After the contest the Salesperson
______________ will pickup entrantbox.
SHAnM ITTIJ 9. Winnersbe an riunced
r'I on Moiy, April 2r 2013

By GEORGE FRANECEVICH
NEWS CORRESPONDENT
Frostproof has always been a popular
destination for "snowbirds" fleeing
northern brutal winters.
Now it seems that the city may have
attracted another type of migratory
bird, the magnificent American White
Pelican.
One of North America's largest birds,
they are a sight to behold. Graceful in
flight with wing spans that can exceed
9 feet in length, a flock of them have
showed up on Lake Reedy.
Every winter these birds migrate to
Florida from the mountains and plains
of the northern U.S., flying non-stop
until they reach their destination.
Many winter in Florida until spring,
when just like the snowbirds, they
return back north. While the American
White Pelicans are not common in our
immediate area, you can find these
elegant white birds if you know where
to look, although no one in Frostproof,
even long time year-round residents,
can remember the birds on either of
Frostproof's lakes
HarrriettWheaton of the Babson Park
Audubon Center, while quick to state
that she was not an expert on the sub-
ject of pelicans, speculated that "since
the birds discovered Lake Reedy, it was
quite possible these migratory birds
would be returning here each year, as
long their needs continue to be met."
According to information found

in various online sources, they feed
mainly on small 'rough' fish with little
commercial value. They also take
salamanders and crayfish. They are
usually found in and around shallow,
(seasonally or tropical) warm fresh
water. The pelicans may be seen co-
operatively foraging in shallow waters,
or at adjacent loafing sites, where they
are tolerant of human observation at a
respectful distance.
According to the SWIFTMUD web
site, unlike the brown pelicans, which
are year-round residents of Florida,
white pelicans spend only part of the
year here. In fact, it is estimated that
over 1,500 white pelicans migrate to
the area from October through March.
Traveling from as far away as Idaho,
Minnesota and Canada, large groups
of these birds come here to enjoy the
warmer winter. Their migrating habits
are based on the melting and freezing
of fresh water in the northern lakes.
White pelicans search for food in
large groups. Instead of diving for
food the way brown pelicans do, white
pelicans swim on the surface in a semi-
circle and herd the fish to shallower
water near the shore. Then using their
pouches as fishnets, the white pelicans
submerge their heads and necks and
scoop up the fish.
When spring approaches, the white
pelicans begin their journey north
again. This cycle is repeated every year.
This is why they are often referred to as
"snowbirds."

PHOTOS
BY K.M.
THORNTON
SR.
The American
White Pelican
can have a
wing span of
as much as
nine feet.

CITY OF

FROSTPROOF, FLORIDA
PUBLIC NOTICE OF
CANVASSING BOARD
MEETINGS

Notice is hereby given the Canvassing Board for the City of
Frostproof Municipal Election will meet on the following dates:
April 2, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.at the Supervisor of Elections Head-
quarters, 250 S. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL to canvass the
absentee elector's ballots and precinct returns

April 5, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 111 W. First
Street, Frostproof, FL to certify election results of the April 2,
2013 election
2868867

March 27, 2013

Page 20 Frostproof News

I

I

By LAUREENALBRECHT
CORRESPONDENT

Even in the midst of adversity, is
there a formula some mix of love,
work, and adaptation for hardship -
that make for a long life?
Over the last two decades, many studies
have suggested that there is a connection
between health and a positive attitude,
as known by a glass half full perspective.
One famous research project called the
Grant Study followed a group of Harvard
undergraduates from 1939 into their elder
years. It indicated that optimism among
college students predicted their health
and longevity 35 years later.
According to Health Day News online
reports, "More Americans are living to
90 and beyond, and by 2050 their ranks
could reach almost 9 million."
Researchers show the number of no-
nagenarians has nearly tripled from
720,000 in 1980 to 1.9 million in 2010.
Perhaps the sheer number of them
will enable us to continue to learn from
their experiences. They lived through
the Great Depression and World War II.
Many would say they grew up in an
era that few have experienced. It's a
wonder of their optimism and longev-
ity when you consider the following
points of perspective:
They had no childproof lids on
medicine bottles, or childproof locks
on cabinets or doors.

As babies they were put on their
tummies to sleep in cribs covered with
bright colored lead-base paints.
If they were fortunate to own a bike,
no helmets were worn.
Their cars were devoid of seat belts
or air bags. Car seats for children were
unheard of.
They survived being born to mothers
who smoked and/or drank while they
were pregnant.
In the 1930s their diet consisted
of powdered milk, dried beans and
potatoes and they continued to know
hardship during war times.
In the mid-1940s their generation
ate sugar, white bread, real butter and
bacon and were rarely over-weight.
They fell out of trees, got cut, broke
bones and teeth
and there were no ."
lawsuits from the "
accidents. i
The first safe .
antibiotics were -.iS
not developed
until 1945. -
When they J -
,ent out- ..
side to -. -' "

: ..

play, no one could reach them with a
smartphone.
BB guns were a standard birthday gift.
They didn't have PlayStations,
Nintendos or Xboxes, no videos; DVDs,
surround sound, cellphones, personal
computers, internet or chat rooms and
had to invent play time with toys made
from wood or tin.
Most schools believed in corporal
punishment exacted upon students
who were rude to a teacher, not doing
homework or just being tardy for
school.
The idea of a parent bailing them out
if they broke the law was unheard of.
Most parents would side with the law.
They had to deal with rejection. Not
everyone made the cut-on
._-" the Little League teams.
Air conditioning %as
S rare and infrequently
-... available in nioie
L. heater-s or department
store,.
Every generation
-i .--. imprints a legacy.
@'-.:. no[ just from
the lies

..;,... : lived

but also how they show examples of
continuing to get through health crisis
into their elder years. Those that serve
this generation readily know their
optimism.
Tino Manco, administrator for Spring
Lake Rehabilitation Center in Winter
Haven, gives historical insights.
"They're our Greatest Generation -
Tom Brokaw gave them that name,"
said Manco.
To him it's not a bold claim, he fully
proclaims it.
'As a whole they were a cut above the
rest."
He says that knowing their past you
can get an idea of their perspective.
"They deny the self indulgence and
immediate gratification that come from
material things. Instead they focus on
the values learned during their life.
It's easy to see they knew the meaning
of sacrifice. Not just with lacking in
material possessions from the 1930s
into mid-1940s, but with real blood,
sweat and tears and I can't think of
a greater example of longevity through
optimism with adversity than this
generation," he says.

Laureen Albrecht is a contribut-
ing health writer for Spring Lake
Rehabilitation Center. She can be
reached at 863-294-3055 or LAlbrecht@
SpringLakeRehab.com.

MeKinney selected Employee of the Month

Registered Nurse Lori McKinney was
;selected Employee of the Month for
February at Lake Wales Medical Center.
McKinney, a nurse in Imaging
Services, has worked at LWMC since
Sept. 2004. In nominating her a co-
worker wrote, "Lori is a huge asset to
the radiology department. She has
great compassion for her patients and
is always willing to lend a helping hand
whether it is with co-workers or with
community events."

Cornerstone Hospice volunteer
training on April 2,9
Nonprofit Cornerstone Hospice has
a two-day volunteer training towards
the required certification to become a
Hospice Volunteer for anyone in Polk
county who may be able to help as well
as doing special events, veteran recog-
nition projects, visiting patients, sewing
projects, reading a book or magazine,
simply keeping a patient company or
helping at the office.
The next Volunteer Training is sched-
uled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 2 and
April 9 at Palm Terrace, 1919 Lakeland
Hills Blvd., Lakeland.
The certification class is 16-hours
and participants should plan to attend
both training days. Lunch and snacks
will be provided.
Pre-register by calling volunteer
specialist Carrie Hess 863-291-5567 or
volunteer manager Lisa Gray 352-742-
6806 or call toll-free 888-728-6234.

Mall Walkers plan prize party
The Mall Walkers program, spon-
sored by Lake Wales Medical Center
and Eagle Ridge Mall, has its next
monthly prize party from 9a.m. to
10 a.m. Thursday, April 11, in the Food
Court area of the mall.
During the party, participants will
turn in their mileage tracking cards..
Mall Walkers tracks each walker's mile-
age, and they earn prizes for reaching
mileage milestones. Mall Walkers also

track total miles walked by the group
this year, and logging their virtual
journey to various destinations around
the U.S. on a wall map that is displayed
in the mall's Food Court.
Mall Walkers walk inside the mall
from 8-10 a.m. Monday through
Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
on Sunday.
All Mall Walkers must enter through
the Food Court, and are encouraged to
wear their Mall Walkers T-shirts so that
security officials know they are part of
the program. Participants are encour-
aged to use their tracking cards to log
their mileage each time they walk in
the mall to earn prizes, including water
bottles, movie tickets, insulated tote
bags and gift cards.
Mileage logged and turned in must
be walked inside the mall to be eligible
for prizes through Mall Walkers.
For information, call Julie Sing at
863-679-6802.

LWMC seeks volunteers
Lake Wales Medical Center is seeking
volunteers to fill a variety of available
positions.
Volunteers drive the courtesy parking
shuttle, greet visitors in the hospital
lobbies, help in the gift shop, work
behind the scenes in several depart-
ments, deliver flowers to patients, and
perform a number of other essential,
rewarding tasks.
Volunteer shifts are available seven
days a week, mornings or afternoons.
Volunteers must be at least 18,
complete an application, submit a
letter of recommendation and pass a
background screening.
For information, call Eric Grenier at
863-678-2214.

LWMC to offer diabetes survivor
skills class
"Diabetes Survivor Skills" will be
taught from 1p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday,
March 27, in the Hunt Building 2nd

floor classroom.
This free class is taught by Registered
Dietician Jamie Moore. It is ideal for
those newly-diagnosed with diabetes,
those who are struggling with manag-
ing the disease, or anyone who just
wants a refresher course on managing
diabetes.

Topics covered include: what is
diabetes, types of diabetes, normal
ranges for blood glucose monitoring,
treatment options and dietary tips for
diabetics.
The class is free but registration is
required.
To register, call 863-678-2288.

Frostproof News Page 21

March 97. 013

FEELING G

Longevity connected to optimism

Pace 22 Frosturoof News March 27, 2013

Commissioner: Industry's

future dire

Orange production could fall to 82 million boxes in a decade

By BRIAN ACKLEY
BACKLEY @ HEARTLANDNEWSPAF

The Florida Citrus Commis
peak at how it's industry might
in 10 years, and they didn't lik
saw.
In fact, commissioner Mich
termed the situation as dire. I
production projections review
the group's meeting last week
reminded him of a time 30 ye
"In the 1980s after the big fri
we lost significant acreage an
time," he said. "Our industry
straits. And I think we're in dii
We need some help. We've all
up here together or you can s
we are down the road."
Where they will be is produ
few as 82.2 million boxes of o:
cording to the latest projectio
2022-23 season. That is the wi
scenario, while the best case i
calls for 136.5 million. This ye
USDA is estimating about 139
boxes, although projections h

Members of the Peace River Valle)
Growers Association toured orange
Immokale last fall to learn firsthand
latest findings by scientists.

lowered for three straight months
PERS.COM because of more fruit droppage than
had been anticipated.
sion got a There is concern that droppage
it look like might be indicating a bigger spread
:e what it of citrus greening, since it has been a
relatively mild winter. A significant and
iael Taylor ever-growing cost in citrus production
He said the is spraying and trying to control the
ved during disease.
in Bartow "That's why research dollars are so
ars ago. important," Taylor said. "We've got to
breezes, learn to raise oranges cheaper. We can't
d at that keep spending $2,000 an acre to grow
was in dire these oranges."
re straits. At its peak, before hurricane damage
got to step wiped out lots of citrus acreage in 2004
ee where and 2005, the state was producing as
226 million boxes of oranges.
icing as Matt Salois, Director of Economic
ranges, ac- and Market Research for the Florida
ns, for the Department of Citrus, authored the
orst case report and presented it at the start of
scenario last week's ineeting. He noted that those
;ar, the who look at the report should focus less
Million on the specific numbers, but instead of
iave been the big picture message.
s "The actual number given is not the
critical component, it's the trend given
by these numbers, because these as-
sumptions can be widely variable from
season to season. It's the trend we're
trying to pick up."
He said the biggest problem is the
slow rate at which growers are planting
FILE PHOTO new trees once old or diseased ones are
FILE PHOT no longer productive.
SCitrus Currently, the replacement rate hovers
e groves near around 50 percent, and he project that
nd about the in a best case scenario, it would still only
be 75 percent of trees lost.

"Overall, the long-range outlook for
the Florida citrus industry continues to
be in a precarious state, driven by the
persistent trend of tree mortality rates
that exceed tree planting rates," he said.
"It sets a downward course for produc-
tion levels. We've seen that while on-tree
prices can be achieved in the short
term, in the long run the industry risks
losing relevance and economic impact."
He said that tree losses continue to be
greater than in the pre-hurricane years,
but that the rate has at least stabilized in
the last several years.

"Entry plantings remain at historically
low levels," he added. "The lack of new
plantings has set the course for a decline
in box production. A lot of this is driven
by the uncertainty of the market."
Because it takes at least five seasons
for a new tree to mature into an eco-
nomically viable one, it will take at least
that long before any reversal in the-
production slide might be realized.
Commissioner Jesse Clark said anoth-
er problem was the actually availability

5K Awards Overall Male and Female, Male and Female
Masters, and the top three Males and Females in each age
group (10 & Under, 1 -1 3,14-19, 20-24,25-29, 30-34,35-39,
40-44,45-49,50-54,55-59,60-64,65-69, 70 & Older).
All participants must be registered for the event at least
one hour prior to start time. Race day registration begins at
5:00 a.m. Pre-registration packet pick-up will be available
the week of the event. Event parking will be free to all Citrus
Classic participants at LEGOLAND Florida. Admission to the
Citrus Classic 5K does NOT include LEGOLAND' Florida park
admission for the day. However, discount admission pricing is
available to all Citrus Classic participants.
(Registration and admission fees are non-refundable)

Address
-\ .i .^ SATURDAY, April 6,2013 Cily, State Zip__ _--------
LEGOLANDP Florida Phone_________________________________________
Winter Haven, FL 33884 Email _______________
5:30 AM Race Day Registration Ea
&T-shirt Pick-up Sex: M F Date of Birth_____ T-Shirt: YM YL S M L XL 2XL
S 7:00 AM 5K Run/Walk Start INCOMPLETE OR UNSIGNED ENTRY FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. In consideration of my entry being accepted, I intend to be legally bound.
..... and do hereby for myself, my heirs, and executors, waive all rights and claims for damages which may hereafter accrue to me against Merlin
$3 ...... Ad .ults Entertainments Group Florida LLC d/b/a LEGOLAND Florida, Winter Haven Hospital, or any subsidiary or political division thereof, its or their
I $3 Adults respective officers, agents, representatives, successors, assigns and sponsors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation
--- $25 Winter Haven Hospital and LEGOLANDO Florida Employees* in the 2013 Citrus Classic even though that liability may arise out of the negligence or carelessness on the port of the entities or person named in
This waiver. If I should suffer injury or illness, I authorize the officials of the race to use their discretion to have me transported to a medical facility,
I$20 Children Ages 12 & Under* and I take full responsibility for this action. I attest and verify that I am physically fit and hereby grant full permission to any and all of the foregoing
Add $10.00 to registration fee if registering day of event, to use any photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings, or any other record of this event for any purposes of the event whatsoever.
Fl Ot & Ml To W r H n H l F oI, HAVE READ THE ABOVE RELEASE AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM ENTERING THIS EVENT AT MY OWN RISK.
Fill Out & Mail To: Winter Haven Hospital Foundation,
do Citrus Classic, 200 Ave. F, N.E., Winter Haven, FL 33881 Signature __________________ Date: ---
(Postmarked by March 1 5,2013 guarantees T-shirt size) (Parents Signature if under 8 years of age.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
For information on how to register, sponsorship opportunities, or vendor information, contact: 863-292-4138 or Foundation@winterhavenhospital.org
SRegister Online at: www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?eventid=2071804

Sponsored By

'im
? Media Group

9E.3,,
<05F

pepsi

TODAUFONIGHT

N,> t~iiin 1,lu 1, Nl

March 27, 2013

Page 22 Frostproof News

March 27. 2013 Frostproof News Page 23

Still no agreement between

county, waste hauler

County attorney confident deal will be struck

By STEVE STEINER
SSTEINER@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM
Polk County Attorney Michael Craig
had been optimistic an agreement be-
tween the county and Republic Services
would be reached by the time county
commissioners met in public session
on Tuesday, March 19.
It was not.
"However, as I notified the Board at
the Friday agenda meeting, I wasn't
sure if the agreement would be final-
ized, and it was not," Craig reminded
the BOCC Tuesday. "However, on Friday
and yesterday, a lot of movement has
been made. The parties continue to
work hard on it and in good faith.
Progress has been made."
Craig said he planned to meet with
each commissioner after he returned
from Washington, D.C., to talk through
some ofthe provisions of the mediation
agreement as some of them are com-
plicated. Again he reiterated that while
progress had been made, there still was
no agreement.
"I am hoping to have something
available for the first meeting in April,"
he said. "If that's not possible, maybe
the second meeting in April."
However, he continued, he was
comfortable with the rate of progress
that had been made thus far. A point
of contention in earlier deliberations
before the BOCC, made by Ron Clark,
the attorney for Republic Services, was
a lack of specific responsibilities in
certain areas of the contract between
the two; the BOCC disagreed with that

argument.
Clark was present at the March 19
public session but never requested to
speak.
"With a great deal of specificity, we
are outlining what is expected between
the parties, and that's what we need
in going forward to have a successful
conclusion to this agreement," con-
cluded Craig.
Response was minimal from
commissioners.
"Do you need a motion to extend?"
asked Commissioner Todd Dantzler.
That was not necessary was Craig's
reply. The purpose of his presentation
was simply to update the BOCC.
The only other response came from
Commissioner Edwin V Smith, whose
comments throughout the entire situa-
tion have been among the harshest.
"I really want to thank Mr. Craig for
his efforts," said Smith. "I also want to
recognize Mr. Ron Clark. Mr. Clark has
also worked very, very hard in trying to
resolve this matter.
"I realize it was very contentious
and very, very difficult to get resolved,"
Smith continued, "and I really appreci-
ated the efforts, professionalism and
the cooperation of Mr. Ron Clark and I
want to recognize you. Thank you."
Following an internal audit last year,
it was estimated the county had been
overbilled by at least $1.4 million on
properties that were either vacant or
had homes that were not completed.
The overbillings may date as far back
as 2005, when Republic first entered
into a contract with the county.

FUTURE
FROM PAGE 22
of new citrus trees to be planted.
'As best I can understand, we're
planting all the trees that's available to
plant," Clark said. He said it can now
take as long as year to get new trees to
plant, although historically that time
frame was as short as two months.
Commissioner Marty McKenna said
the current high citrus price is actually
a false echo on the radar screen.
"It may look like we're in high price
yields, but you're barely breaking even,"
McKenna said." Our fertilizer bill is
high, our diesel bill is high, and our
insect and disease control is high. So,
yes, the price of fruit is high, but the
return to the grower is not high enough
to incentivize replanting."

Solis said one piece of good news is
consumption of not-from-concentrate
juice continues to grow, while the
market for reconstituted juice products
continue to shrink.
"We're observing shifting market
preferences," Solis noted. "We've
been observing this for some time.
NFC is gaining both market volume
and market share. It's important to
point out that Florida growers are the
primary supplier for the domestic
NFC market and stand to benefit from
these particular trends."
Commissioner Michael Haycock said
the report should serve as a rallying cry
for more funding to things like fighting
greening.
"I think when we build our strategy
for the DOC (Department of Citrus)
next year, I would keep this front and
center. It's an excellent summary of the
situation."

Christene chose our Center because as an OR nurse, she
worked directly with the surgical team for five years. It was also
because she wanted the best technology with the most
; ... compassionate care. And it certainly was a plus that the Center
is ranked by HealthGrades, the leading independent health care
Ratings organization, in the top 10% nationally for Orthopedic
Sr Services. Now, Christene is our Joint Replacement Care
Coordinator, sharing her knowledge, her insight,
,'':?:" Qiher compassion...and her new lease on life.

YES, every
buyer/pur-
chaser needs N.
homeowner ..
insurance. f
If you are
financing
your home
through a
bank or any
other lending institution,
they will require that you
come to closing with a
receipt showing you have
purchased homeowner
insurance. Your real real-
tor is a professional who
will advise you to work
with a qualified insur-
ance agent very early in
the process of buying
your home. In order to
get a homeowners insur-
ance policy you will need
a 4 point inspection.
Most home inspectors
will do this when they
inspect the home for you
during the time allotted
for you to do your due
diligence (all inspections
you wish on the home).
Once you have the 4
point you need to begin
working on getting the
insurance coverage you
want.
Do I need a lawyer to

Estelle Sullivan

Estelle Sullivan Realty

buy a home?
You may have a lawyer
represent you in your
purchase of your home
if you wish. An attorney/
lawyer represents you
and only you if you hire
the lawyer. If, as a buyer,
you are closing with an
attorney that the seller
has chosen to prepare
the title insurance and
any and all other docu-
ments then you should
be represented by your
own attorney as the
seller's attorney repre-
sents only the seller. You
do not have to have an
attorney to close your
real estate transaction.
There are many excellent
title companies who do
not represent either party
that close real estate
transactions as well as
acting as escrow agents
in holding and dispersing
-all funds at closing. The
choice is yours to make.

HOT in theMarketlace$12320

1005 CAMPBELL AVE, LAKE WALES, LISTED: January 7, 2013; CONTRACT: February 14,2013; CLOSED: March 25, 2013! Listed by
Estelle Sullivan Realty and Sold by Home Life Real Estate

INVESTOR SPECIAL
This 2 Bedroom 2 Bath home includes
an eat-in kitchen, pantry, and break-
fast bar. Get nice and cozy in front of
the wood burning fireplace. Also has a
front & back screened porch. $39,900

SPACIOUS LIVING
This 3 bedroom 2.5 bath located on just
under a 1/2 acre with 2,084 sq. ft. living.
Large living room with fireplace. Open
kitchen overlooks dining area. Screened
porch with fenced back yard. $154,900

'We Are Pledged To The Letter And
Spirit of U.S. Policy For The Achieve-
ment Of Equal Housing Opportunity
Throughout The Nation. We Encour-
age And Support An Affirmative
Advertising And Marketing Program In
Which there Are No Barriers To
Obtaining Housing Because of Race,
Color, Religion, Sec, Handicap, Famil-
ial Status Or National Origin."

413 HWY 630, FROST-
PROOF This cozy lakefront
cottage has lots of charm and
is located on Lake Clinch.
Spacious family room, ceram-
ic tile and wood floors
throughout home. $169,900

29 HEIGHTS AVE, FROST-
PROOF Brick home located
on Lake Clinch on a quiet
street. Walking distance to
downtown, library, churches,
schools. Spacious bedrooms
with split bedroom plan, for-
mal living room, formal dining
room, breakfast nook off the
kitchen, large family room
with great view of the sunset
over the lake. 2 car attached

1020 HOUSES FOR SALE
HOME with ample cabinet
space, breakfast bar, large
closets in both bedrooms,
and a screened in patio; just
listed at $54,900 ID #766
PRIME PLUS REAL ESTATE
INC. 863-676-7040
www.primeplusrealestate.co
m

STARTER HOME This 3 bed-
room 1 bath home has a size-
able Florida room, fenced
back yard, and shed. It would
make a nice starter home;
just listed at $39,900 ID
#1618 PRIME PLUS REAL
ESTATE INC. 863-676-7040
www.primeplusrealestate.co
m

BUNGALOW STYLE FIXER
UPPER With a little TLC this 3
bedroom 1 bath home will be
adorable, it has a large living
room with formal dining,
newer roof and an oversized
lot. "Priced to sell" Owner is
motivated and will consider all
offers, listed at $34,900 ID#
615 PRIME PLUS REAL
ESTATE INC. 863-676-7040
www.primeplusrealestate.co
m

NEWER HOME BUILT IN
2005 This spacious 4 bed-
room home has so much to
offer, French doors leading to
screened in back porch, split
bedroom plan, 2 car garage,
ceramic tile, fenced yard with
play area, right outside of city
limits but close to everything;
listed at $99,000 ID# 367
PRIME PLUS REAL ESTATE
INC. 863-676-7040
www.primeplusrealestate.co
m
SPACIOUS 3 BEDROOM 2
BATH HOME, This spacious
home comes with a fireplace,
screened in patio, a utility
room with a sink, indoor win-
dow shutters, a separate
entrance to the porch from
the master bedroom, and a 2
vehicle carport with storage
space; just listed at $99,900
ID #713 PRIME PLUS REAL
ESTATE INC. 863-676-7040
www.primeplusrealestate.co
m

CONDOS
2 BEDROOM 2 BATH
CONDO in move in condition,
this 2nd floor unit overlooks
the community pool and has a
beautiful wooded view from
the back porch. This would
make a great getaway or
would be perfect for year
round; listed at $45,000 ID#
2112 PRIME PLUS REAL
ESTATE INC. 863-676-7040
www.primeplusrealestate.co
m
IMMACULATE 2 BEDROOM
2 BATH CONDO located on
the second floor, completely
furnished along with newer
appliances and central a/c
unit, spacious living dining
combo, beautiful views of the
sunrise from the 15x6
screened balcony. Community
offers a great amount of
amenities; listed at $54,000
ID#216 PRIME PLUS REAL
ESTATE INC. 863-676-7040
www.primeplusrealestate.co
m

2 BEAUTIFUL BUILDABLE
LOTS just under a 1/4 an
acre located in Babson Park.
Property is already cleared
and is just waiting for you to
build the home of your
dreams. Ownership provides
deeded access Crooked
Lake. Asking price is $9,000
per lot. Owner will consider
offers. ID#1012 PRIME PLUS
REAL ESTATE INC. 863-676-
7040 www.primeplus-
realestate.com

WATER FRONT VACANT
LAND Great location to build
your home and have access
to Walk-in-Water Creek,
access to lake depends to
water levels, lot approx. 2.56
acres; just listed at $25,000
ID #L22 PRIME PLUS REAL
ESTATE INC. 863-676-7040
www.primeplusrealestate.co
m

BEAUTIFUL VACANT LOT
IN AVON PARK LAKES This
quiet neighborhood is just
waiting for a new home. The
property is located in the
established Avon Park Lakes
area just a short walk to the
lake, two lots combined for a
80'x10O' property which
gives you plenty of space to
build your dream home.
Priced to sell, listed at
$7,500 ID #2821 PRIME
PLUS REAL ESTATE INC. 863-
676-7040 www.primeplus-
realestate.com

RIVER RANCH RESORT RV
LOT Beautiful wooded lot
available, this is a great place
to put your RV for the season
or the year. Boat dock and
ramp close by with access to
Lake Kissimmee which has
amazing fishing available.
There are many features avail-
able; listed at $25,000 ID
#248 PRIME PLUS REAL
ESTATE INC. 863-676-7040
www.primeplusrealestate.co
m

1020 HOUSES FOR SALE
JUST OVER 5 BEAUTIFUL
ACRES This amazing country
setting is located in a gated
deed restricted community
and it's just waiting for you to
build the home of your
dreams, priced to sell at
$45,000 ID #LT30 PRIME
PLUS REAL ESTATE INC. 863-
676-7040 www.primeplus-
realestate.com

BEAUTIFUL CORNER LOT
NEAR BLUE LAKE, if you are
looking for a spot to build
your dream home, this is the
perfect location, near blue
lake, close to US 27, area of
nice homes; $29,900, PRIME
PLUS REAL ESTATE INC. 863-
676-7040
HOME SITE, Nice half Acre
lot located in Beautiful Area of
Homes. Growing Region Cen-
trally Located between Winter
Haven and Lake Wales. Par-
tially Cleared and ready to
Build your First Home.
$27,900 id #cc PRIME PLUS
REAL ESTATE INC. (863) 676-
7040 www.primeplus-
realestate.com

1210 HOMES FOR RENT
BABSON PARK POOL HOME
with 2BR/2BA and an office.
Laminate floors in living areas
and a spacious screened porch
with swimming pool. Pool care is
included in the rent and the 2
car garage has automatic open-
er. $1025/month, $1025 SD.
Call Maggie Stohler at Legacy
Leasing Services, Inc 863-676-
0024 or visit www.LegacyLeas-
es.com
Commercial
Nalcrest- 379 sqft for lease in
a community that boasts 500
apartments and approximately
800 residents. This space
would be ideal for a hair or nail
salon. There is an attached
bathroom. Water and wifi includ-
ed in rent. $400/month. Call
Maggie Stohler at Legacy Leas-
ing Services, Inc 863-676-0024
or visit www.LegacyLeases.com
Nalcrest- 950 sqft of
Retail/Office Space for lease in
a community that boasts 500
apartments and approximately
800 residents. There is an
attached bathroom and 600
additional square feet that
could be added on to the exist-
ing 950 sq ft. Water and wifi
included in rent. $800/month.
Call Maggie Stohler at Legacy
Leasing Services, Inc 863-676-
0024 or visit www.LegacyLeas-
s frnr

JANRIC CLASSIC SUDOKU
Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row,
column and 3x3 block. Use logic and process elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty
level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest).
1 9 3 Rating: GOLD

1520 OUT OFTOWN LOTS
BANK REPOSSESSION
SMITH LAKE ALABAMA
Prime dockable homesite
$49,900. Bank loss of $120K
per lot, over $3 million on 34
lots, makes possible $200K
+ homesite for 25 cents on
the dollar. Level to water, no
stairs. Build at waters edge.
NEW TO MARKET. Roads and
utilities in place. Available
April 20th. Make early appt.
Once in a lifetime opportunity.
1-877448-6816
NC mountain property
must go. 4.5 acres with out-
standing views and privacy.
$25,000 OBO, great for
home or cabin. (828)394-
9298. Ask for Richard
1610 BUSINESS RENTALS

If you have trouble hearing on the phone, an amplified U,
phone may help. FTRI offers free amplified telephones
to Florida residents with hearing loss. Cordless phones,
captioned phones and phones that amplify your speech are a few of the
options available at locations statewide.

Call the center in your area for information or upcoming distribution events.

ANY CONDITION
WE BUY IT ALL, and Pay So Much
We Almost Want to Cry. You, of
Course, Will Laugh With Glee!!
See PHIL at the former
HOLLY'S ARMY NAVY STORE
3440 Ave G NW
Winter Haven
Mon-Sat lOam-5:3Opm
Call first to confirm I'm there
863-299-6031
Our 33rd Year.

CONCRETE SPECIALIST
From normal concrete
to an elegant rock paver,
or brick stamp design.
OUR GUARANTY
I NO MONEY DOWN.-I
I PAY WHEN JOB IS I
COMPLETED!
Side Walks Patios
Driveways
Serving all of Polk County
FREE ESTIMATES
863-578-3424
3 863-835-3222 2